A PM's relationship with economists can be fraught

One of the most unusual contributions during the recent general election campaign was the comment of the Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell that we could learn a great deal from Karl Marx.

In particular, the latter's 2,400 page wrist-breaking book Capital (Das Kapital). His party leader was rather more ecumenical. Jeremy Corbyn said he had profited from reading not only Marx, but also Adam Smith and David Ricardo.

All this prompts me to consider the relationship between Prime Ministers and senior politicians and economics.